Self-raising commode seat

Abstract

A commode seat raising mechanism including a commode seat; a biasing mechanism in connection between a top wall of a commode and the commode seat for biasing the commode seat in an upright position; and a dampening mechanism in connection between the commode seat and the biasing mechanism for adjusting the rate at which the commode seat is raised.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A self-raising commode seat comprising: a commode having a top wall having a first flange bolt having a threaded aperture and a second flange bolt having a bore formed therethrough;   a commode seat having a pair of spaced connecting arms;   a biasing mechanism in connection between said top wall of said commode and said commode seat for biasing said commode seat in an upright position, said biasing mechanism including a helical spring and a shaft, said helical spring having a coiled portion terminating in a first and second spring end, said coiled portion being positioned over a section of said shaft, said first spring end extending from said coiled portion in a direction tangential to said coiled portion terminating in contact with said commode seat, said shaft having a first threaded end, a second threaded end and a hole formed through the side thereof having said second spring end of said helical spring disposed therein, said first threaded end of said shaft being rigidly connected to said first flange bolt threaded aperture and said second threaded end of said shaft being positioned through said bore of said second flange bolt; and   a dampening mechanism in connection between said commode seat and said biasing mechanism for adjusting the rate at which said commode seat is raised, said damping mechanism including a first pad positioned around said shaft and positioned between said first flange bolt and one of said pair of spaced connecting arms of said commode seat, a second pad positioned around said shaft and positioned between said second flange bolt and a remaining connecting arm of said pair of spaced connecting arms of said commode seat, and a tension adjusting mechanism threadably engaging said second threaded end of said shaft in a manner such that tightening said tension adjusting mechanism squeezes said first pad between said first flange bolt and said one of said pair of spaced connecting arms of said commode seat and said second pad between said second flange bolt and said remaining connecting arm of said commode seat.